The heat's on durian, mutton
KUALA LUMPUR: No medical findings showed that eating durian and mutton at the same time would lead to serious consequences but medical experts and traditional medicine practitioners said both should be moderately consumed.
They also advised that the public should refrain from eating both at the same time if they were not healthy.Gleneagles Hospital chief dietician Lim Ai Leng advised those with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and renal failure not to consume durian in excessive amount.
"Durian contains a high amount of sugar, potassium and fat. It is classified as a high-glycemic and high fat food. It is also considered to have heaty properties.
"Mutton is a source of protein and in Malaysia, it is commonly cooked with coconut milk to make rendang or curry.
"Therefore, it is also high in fat, especially saturated fat, which can raise the blood cholesterol.
"In traditional belief, mutton is also considered having warm properties."
Locals also believed that durian can be harmful when taken together with coffee or alcoholic beverages as it could cause indigestion and bad breath.
"Several medical investigations on the validity of this belief have been conducted with varying conclusions," she said.
However, she said, there is no conclusive clinical findings on whether durian can be eaten together with mutton or coffee.
"One should always consume food in moderate amounts and practise healthy eating."
A Chinese physician in Johor Baru, Prof Dr Soo Sheng Ren, said consuming durian and mutton at the same time was taboo as both were regarded as highly heaty food.
For a healthy person, taking both foods at the same time will result in excessive bodily heat, which could be relieved by taking food with cooling properties such as mangosteens or by drinking mild salt water.
He said Ahmad Lai Bujang, member of parliament for Sibuti, may have overeaten or was not physically healthy enough to consume the durian and mutton.
"The MP complained of breathlessness because his belly was like a burning furnace.
"In certain cases, nosebleed may occur. This is not a severe health problem, provided the patient does not have other complications," he said.
Dr Soo also said consuming durian and at the same time drinking alcoholic beverages can lead to bloating of the stomach.
This would exert pressure on the respiratory system and can cause breathlessness.
"One is lucky if he feels faint or develops nausea.
"In the worst case scenario, it can result in sudden death."
Citing another example of food taboo, Dr Soo said one should not eat persimmons and crab meat or risk food poisoning from the chemical reaction of the food items in the digestive system.
By Sim Bak Heng and Alang Bendahara
news@nst.com.my
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